Pearce hopes home nations come together for Team Great Britain

England U21 boss Stuart Pearce hopes the home nations come together to support Team Great Britain for the London Olympics.

England U21 boss Stuart Pearce hopes the home nations come together to support Team Great Britain for the London Olympics.

Welsh stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have attracted criticism after being pictured in the kit Team GB will wear at the Olympics, while former England winger John Barnes said the tournament was 'no place for a professional footballer'.

But Pearce, who was recently appointed Team GB Head Coach, said: "It always boils down to what is best for the player.

"If a player wants to come and be part of it – and I know damn sure I would want to be involved in it – this is me picking from four nations. That’s how it should be.

"All the federations should support this team. I can’t make people support this team if it is what is in their hearts and brains. I think it is a great opportunity for a squad of 18 players, plus a few on stand-by, to be part of an ideal. It is the chance of a lifetime."

Pearce added: "Everyone speculated about what if Ryan Giggs had been English and available to play for England. I am not suggesting Ryan will be in the squad but what I am suggesting is that this opens up the spectrum of players who haven’t played tournament football before."